Last week, I had a phone interview for what was announced as a five-week (but possibly longer) contract role as a Sr. UX [user experience] Designer for a major office supply company at its headquarters in Framingham, MA. Then on Friday I was informed that I was accepted for the role. The Boston-based placement agency that brokered the deal had me complete lots of paperwork, and I almost locked up a rental for temporary lodging via AirBnB.
But minutes ago the recruiter from the placement agency called to apologize. She explained, as she had previously, that this was a "backfill" position and that I was substituting for a more permanent employee who took leave, but this time the recruiter added that there was a mistake and that the employee was returning sooner than expected and that the offer to me was rescinded.
And recently I had a phone interview for a similar role with another company in Manhattan. I passed the phone screen and next went to an in-person interview with the phone screener and his boss. The boss showed up late, added that he HAD NOT SEEN MY RESUME until then, and about halfway through the interview asked if I minded if he ate his lunch during our interview. Immediately after the interview I provided feedback to the recruiter who connected me with the company. While returning home, he notified me that I had been rejected from the role.
I'm trying to be optimistic about landing work but I am struck by how bumbling some people in hiring positions are.